Author Topic: Hit 3 dealerships today ... (Read 2121 times)

Desolation Angel · « **on:** April 22, 2006, 06:58:43 PM »

Low 90s today. Decided to see if I remembered how to ride and took off to see what there was to see at the local bike shops.

First, Honda. 2 Goldwings. 1 ST1300 (yum). 6 sportbikes. 50 cruisers. Man, I dig that ST1300, but I'm on the very tips of my tippy toes with it.

Second, Kawasaki/Suzuki/Aprilia. Various Kawa and Suzi Sportbikes. 3 V-Stroms. 50 cruisers. No Aprilias. I dig the Vulcan 750 old style metric cruiser.

Third, Yamaha. 6 sportbikes. 1 V-Max (double yum). 50 cruisers. For two cents I'd go back and buy that V-Max.

Anyone notice a pattern? Thin or non-existent with sport tourers, a few torture devices, and an over abundance of big, heavy, slow cruisers. And 20 to 30 folks in each shop hanging out at the cruisers.

It is so sad.

The V-Max just looks faster than h$ll! Are we sure the 'Busa can outrun it on the straights? Still turbo, ain't it? Now THAT is a bike!

jbrough7 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 22, 2006, 07:13:59 PM »

The V-Max is one awesome bike! Wonder what it would be like?

How tall are you Desolation? re: the 1300.

Jim

jeepskate99 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 22, 2006, 10:20:14 PM »

Quote from: "jbrough7"

The V-Max is one awesome bike! Wonder what it would be like?

How tall are you Desolation? re: the 1300.

Jim

It's like riding a missile, that can't be turned. I had a friend that owned one and it was a blast on the thruway and a living nightmare on the ramps. Do they STILL run bias-ply tires?

Desolation Angel · « **Reply #3 on:** April 22, 2006, 10:26:00 PM »

Quote from: "jbrough7"

The V-Max is one awesome bike! Wonder what it would be like?

How tall are you Desolation? re: the 1300.

Jim

5'9" if I do stretching exercises first for at least an hour.

Quote from: "jeepskate99"

...It's like riding a missile, that can't be turned. I had a friend that owned one and it was a blast on the thruway and a living nightmare on the ramps. Do they STILL run bias-ply tires?

I didn't think to look at that. Never would imagine bias ply on that kind of bike. I'm gonna look next weekend.

Red01 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 23, 2006, 10:16:10 AM »

The V-Max has never done anything for me. I've never been a fan of it's styling.

It's never had a turbo from the factory. IIRC, the only Yamaha to have a factory turbo was the 600 Seca Turbo.

Yes, it still runs on bias-ply tires. They are V-rated though.

Straight line performance numbers are about the same as a B12, but the B12 is a helluva lot more fun in the twisties - and IMHO, a much better looking bike.

Going to Yamaha's site, I noticed the V-Max isn't a Yamaha anymore. It's part of the Star Motorcycles lineup now, along with all the other cruisers.

cb400bill · « **Reply #5 on:** April 24, 2006, 06:35:15 PM »

"Are we sure the 'Busa can outrun it on the straights?"

V-Max top speed approx 150 mph.
Busa top speed approx 190 mph.

Yup, it will outrun it on the straights.